Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, located in the Mexican state of Campeche near the border with Guatemala, covers over 700,000 acres of tropical rainforest within the Yucatán Peninsula. It is one of Mexico’s largest protected natural areas and one of the most significant tracts of lowland rainforest in North America. Ecologically, Calakmul boasts an impressive diversity of flora and fauna including jaguars, pumas, spider monkeys, ocelots, and over 350 bird species, making it a critical site for conservation of threatened wildlife and tropical ecosystems. The reserve is also a cultural treasure, containing the ancient Maya city of Calakmul, one of the largest and most powerful Maya cities during the Classic period. Visitors can explore some of the towering stepped pyramids hidden amidst dense jungle that reveal the sophisticated architectural and cultural achievements of the Maya civilization. Popular outdoor opportunities include guided wildlife viewing, birdwatching, hiking on forest trails, and archaeological tours. The reserve’s remoteness and relatively undeveloped infrastructure provide a wild experience far from urban centers, appealing especially to adventurous travelers and ecotourists. Its location within the Greater Calakmul-Sierra del Lacandón ecological corridor connects Mexico’s ecosystems with those of Guatemala, supporting genetic diversity and large mammal migrations.
